The ARC - Later Saturday and then Christine's MI5 Office, A Few Days Later - London

[itsananomaly]

Cutter had managed to calm down somewhat since Christine’s arrival and threat of arresting him and Connor on treason charges, even though everyone had said that they would fight her and wouldn’t let her win … he was still nervous, she reminded him of Helen in a way, she had that same gleam that Helen got in her eyes and he just had a very bad feeling about this overall. He took a deep breath, they were meeting in Lester’s office again but this time it was him, Connor, Becker and Lester. He opened his mouth several times to speak but realised he didn’t know what to say, what could he say … he had already offered to turn himself in, he didn’t have any more ideas … It just seemed hopeless right now. He sat back in his chair instead, staring down at the fingerless gloves he was wearing, absentmindedly pulling at a loose thread as he tried to distract himself from what had happened earlier. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. CW for mentions of torture. NFB due to distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor sat beside Cutter quietly. He watched Cutter nervous tug and fiddle with the gloves. Gently he reached out and put a gand over his and gave a soft squeeze. "Its going to be alright" he said, wishing he sounded more convincing and that he could believe that himself. "We'll figure out something."
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Is there a way to find out exactly what she has video of?" Becker asked Lester as he looked at him from across the table. "I seriously doubt she has a weeks worth of videos for everything... So could we make the case that taking a few minutes of video out of context is weak grounds for treason charges?" Becker thought for a moment. "Or... If there is more video she has she doesn't want shown, we could use that to our advantage if we can find what she has and get our hands on it?"
Lester(thearcfamily)	Cutter gave a small smile at Connor then, comforted by that small squeeze. He looked over at Lester and Becker, “I didn’t know there was video,” he said quietly, “I didn’t know she’d recorded anything but of course she did …this is Helen, she covered her bases, there’s every chance she planned for this,” Lester looked at Nick, he had been thinking the same, “I’ll contact the Minister, see if I can get that footage, find out exactly what Christine has and then I’ll talk to the lawyers find out our best options,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Good," Becker said with a nod. "The sooner we know what hand Christine is playing with, the sooner we can plan how to counter her. If she's using this claim of treason as a way to try and get into the ARC and get her talons into what we are doing, we have to take that into consideration as well."
Lester(thearcfamily)	“I think that’s her endgame,” Lester admitted with a sigh, “she wants power and for whatever reason, she thinks the ARC is the way to do it, unfortunately she also has plenty of powerful backers …this isn’t going to be an easy fight,” he looked over at Cutter and Connor and then at Becker, “Captain Becker, while Nick and Connor are here I want a full protection detail on them, I wouldn’t put her past kidnapping in broad daylight,” he looked back at Cutter and Connor, “the sooner we get you both back to Fandom, the safer you’ll be from Christine,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"If its power shes after she probably has the same line of thinking as Helen..." Becker said with a glance over at Cutter. "The anomalies seem to be a major temptation when it comes to those wanting power and control. I wouldn't put it past Christine to think of the anomalies as a source of power and control if she has access to them." And then Becker looked back to Lester and nodded. "I will personally see to their safety while they are here and make sure my men are on the look out for Christine or her men."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter met Becker’s gaze, he bit his lip at the mention of Helen as an idea came to him …now that some of the shock that he could potentially be facing life in prison had worn off, he was beginning to see things a little more clearly. “Are we absolutely certain that Helen isn’t working with Christine?” he began, not quite believing that he was starting off with a conspiracy theory …he glanced at Connor, “maybe it’s a coincidence but the timing just seems awfully suspicious…as soon as Connor and I rejoin the team, we’re potentially facing treason charges? Maybe this is part of Helen’s grand scheme …she didn’t get what she wanted …now she truly wants to make sure that Connor and I suffer even more …personally, professionally…it’s all a game to her…” Well the therapy sessions at least seemed to be working, Cutter was finally starting to realise just how messed up his relationship with Helen was.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor sat and thought on that for a moment. It did make sense in a lot of ways. "It could be... Helen has always seemed to be a step or two ahead of us, talking about the anomalies, and the ARC, and the future... she has been to the future. We... we know that" he gave a small shudder thinking about the serum, the shock collar, and the rest of Helen's playthings."If shes trying to use that to her advantage, to impact things here... and if she and Christine have been in contact... is it really that much of a stretch to think they might be working together in some way?"
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester frowned as he considered the option, "it could the case ... they’re very similar in a lot of ways, both are sadistic and they're not afraid to use people to get what they want and Helen used both Leek and Stephen to try and gain access to the ARC ... it's possible she's teamed up with Christine to gain access through her? Christine is ambitious enough and she has enough friends in high places that she could do it ... the thought of the two of them teaming up ...' he suppressed a shudder, "I'll check with my contacts in the Ministry, see if I can tie Christine to Helen, if I can expose her for working with Helen ... I may be able to stop her in her tracks before she gains any momentum,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It won't be easy" Connor said with a sigh. "If they are working together... that is one hell of a united force. They both are capable of doing so much on their own. United with a common goal..." Connor gave a small shudder. "It could be really hard to face them like that."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter flinched at that thought, he knew he definitely didn't want to face off against Helen and Christine, "it would be even worse than with Leek and Stephen, even though they worked at the ARC they don't have the same level of connections that Christine does ... to my knowledge Leek never had direct access of the Defence Minister, if Helen has access to all of Christine's contacts and they're using future technology ... they'll want us both out of the way," he looked apologetically at Connor, "making us out to be threats to national security, charging us with treason ... I mean at this point the only thing that seems to be definitely in our favour is that the UK doesn't have the death penalty for treason anymore," which really wasn't that much of a silver lining but he was refusing to let Helen beat them if she did in fact have her hand in this too.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"At least we have Fandom. It's as good as going off the grid in any case. Cuts us off and makes it harder for Christine, or Helen for that matter, to find us." He paused for a moment, a flash of things Helen had said as she was taunting in back in that cell echoing in his head. "Helen knows Fandom exists but she doesn't know where it is or how to get there or anything. So I... I think Lester is right. It is still our best bet for getting away from Christine for the time being." Connor looked over at Becker as he continued. "We could still work on plans, figure things out, try and find a way to stop her, even while we are hiding away for a bit. We...I mean I know I do at least... want to help the team anyway I can. It... it's because of us Christine and Helen are after the ARC..." Connor said his voice trailing off.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath, "I want to help to," he said quietly, "I think we can do more help from Fandom, maybe come up with some plans to stop Christine from taking over the ARC," he looked over at Connor, “it’s the least we can do,” he added guilty.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"The most important thing is for you to watch out for each other and stay safe" Becker said sternly but gently. "We'll take all the help we can get, heavens knows we will need it, but your first priority from this point on has to be taking care of yourselves and staying out of Christine and Helen's sight." "Guess that means no school trips or impromptu vacations huh?" Connor said with a dry laugh. "Absolutely not" Becker said with a deadpan look. "Unless that school you both teach at now lets the adults have their own dedicated chaperones during these school trips." He gave a small smile, trying to keep the mood somewhat light, considering what they were talking about and what they were facing. "But I definitely want you both checking in regularly ok?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Somehow I don't think the school would approve of us having chaperones," Cutter said with a small smile, "especially since we're supposed to be chaperoning the kids but we can keep in contact regularly, what about the ARC and missions?" he asked softly as the thought came to him, "can we still come and help out, even if we're not always in the field?" he didn't like the idea of not being able to do any work at the ARC, now that he and Connor had been cleared to return ... it felt like everything would have been for nothing if they weren't allowed to return to work.
Lester(thearcfamily)	"You and Connor's position on this team are absolutely safe," Lester assured him, "you're still welcome to return and visit, I know you both have therapy sessions as well and I want you both to keep doing those ... I don't want your day to day lives completely disrupted, just keep going as you would normally but I want you to be more cautious about your personal safety, as Captain Becker said check in with us regularly and always have someone guard you when you do some to visit, you're safer in Fandom but I don't want to discourage you from coming back especially after all the hard work and progress that you've made in being able too return to the field,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"If its power shes after she probably has the same line of thinking as Helen..." Becker said with a glance over at Cutter. "The anomalies seem to be a major temptation when it comes to those wanting power and control. I wouldn't put it past Christine to think of the anomalies as a source of power and control if she has access to them." And then Becker looked back to Lester and nodded. "I will personally see to their safety while they are here and make sure my men are on the look out for Christine or her men."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor breathed a sigh of relief as he reached over and gave Cutter's hand a squeeze. He knew what Cutter had been worried about, he had the same fear as well and it was good to hear that they still were part of the team and could still be as involved as they were able to. "That's good. Thank you Lester.. I, I know I would like to stay involved as much as I can. even here at the office, or in the field as support or something.It would be a waste of everything we have endured to just sit in Fandom while everything goes on here. And besides, I don't want to give Christine the satisfaction in knowing that she's cut us off and is affecting what we are doing here that much. I don't want to give her such an easy win right from the start!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter breathed a visible sigh of relief at that, that the hard work he and Connor had done hadn't been for nothing, "thank you James," he said softly, comforted by that gentle hand squeeze. "You're welcome," Lester smiled at both of them, "and yes, anything to stop Christine from getting any kind of victory will be key to this and if that means you can still go about your day to day lives without being afraid of her than that's a major win, she wants you to be afraid, to hide away, you just need to show her that after everything you've both been through that you're stronger than she thinks you are, she's underestimated both of you and that's her first mistake,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"She's underestimated us and the entire team" Connor said. "And she's going to learn that soon enough!" He sounded more confident than he felt, but he was determined to not let Christine win, especially if she really was working with Helen in any way.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, feeling slightly better about their chances now but it was still unnerving to think about how uncertain their future really was, "we're not going to let her get the ARC," he said, that was the last thing he wanted, especially if it meant that Helen could get her hands on it as well.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Christine is going to learn shes picked a fight with the wrong team" Becker said with a nod. "Seems like she expected us to just roll over and let her do what she wanted. She will find out just how wrong she was. We have to be careful though, Christine will try to undermine us and turn us against each other" Becker said with a slight eye roll. "She's already tried to get me to jump ship on you guys nearly half a dozen times already. Christine really is focused in on doing anything she can to either control the ARC or destroy it."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"At least we have Fandom. It's as good as going off the grid in any case. Cuts us off and makes it harder for Christine, or Helen for that matter, to find us." He paused for a moment, a flash of things Helen had said as she was taunting in back in that cell echoing in his head. "Helen knows Fandom exists but she doesn't know where it is or how to get there or anything. So I... I think Lester is right. It is still our best bet for getting away from Christine for the time being." Connor looked over at Becker as he continued. "We could still work on plans, figure things out, try and find a way to stop her, even while we are hiding away for a bit. We...I mean I know I do at least... want to help the team anyway I can. It... it's because of us Christine and Helen are after the ARC..." Connor said his voice trailing off.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"We can do this, " Cutter said softly, "but we're definitely going to need to stick together, Christine's like Helen and like Becker said, she'll do everything and anything to get us to break ... " he hesitated slightly, "it could get very rough and ... she's not going to play by the books at all,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Guess it's a good thing we are a bunch of rule-breaking miscreants then huh?" Connor said with a faint smirk as he looked over at Lester. "Christine is going to be surprised to learn we are perfectly fine with bending the rules and even breaking a few now and then if we need to." Connor took a moment to look at Cutter, and Lester, and Becker. "We can do this. We... we have to do this."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester looked at Nick, Connor and then Becker, "then we're in agreement, we fight fire with fire ... we'll stop Christine before this gets to far, she thinks she has the upper hand but she will learn the hard way why you don't mess with this team,"
Lester(thearcfamily)	A few days later Lester had arranged a meeting with Christine to see if they could figure out just exactly what she knew and what her endgame was. He also saw it as an opportunity to try and get her to back away from treason charges against Connor and Nick to protect them as much as he could. He had been ringing around, pulling in as many favours as he could and he had gotten hold of the available footage ... he hated to admit it, what he had seen didn't look good for Nick and Connor. They were meeting in Christine’s office in MI5, Lester had asked Becker to be there as well since he was now making sure that Nick and Connor were safe when they were with the team and that having another observer there would be helpful since Christine so far seemed to be one step ahead of them. They had already been waiting in her office for fifteen minutes, “if I wasn’t so annoyed at her already, I would be impressed,” he glanced at his watch again and sighed.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Classic Manipulation tactic," Becker said, shaking his head. "She's letting us know she's in control of everything here, including our time. From the start she is trying to get in our heads and make us feel like we are out of control." Becker sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. She was good at these games, that was for sure. It was like she knew exactly what she was doing and what buttons she was pushing at all times.
Lester(thearcfamily)	"And unfortunately it's working, this is her turf and at the moment we have to play by her rules, at least until we can determine what her goal is," Lester sighed, glancing over at the door to see if Christine had decided to grace them with her presence. "It's a good thing we didn't bring Nick and Connor here like Christine originally wanted us to, I'd hate to think what they'd be like after this,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"They would be an absolute mess" Becker said simply, no harshness or judgment in his voice, just the simple truth. "I know what game she is playing at right now and I'm even feeling a little intimidated." Becker fell silent for a moment and then glanced at the door. He heard footsteps approaching out in the hall and gave Lester a nod. Looked like they were finally worth the time and energy for her to show up and grace them with her presence.
Christine(thearcfamily)	And right on cue Christine arrived, “gentlemen, so sorry to have kept you waiting,” she said in a pleasantly sweet voice that Lester knew meant she wasn’t sorry at all, “I’m afraid something important came up, it couldn’t be helped but let’s get straight to business shall we?” she looked between Becker and Lester, “have you given anymore thought to my job offer Captain?” she said as she took her seat at her desk.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had to fight hard not to roll his eyes as he gave a quick glance at Lester before turning his gaze back to Christine. "I have" he said simply. "And I must yet again decline the offer. As tempting as the offer might be, I am quite satisfied with my place here on the team at the ARC." Becker watched Christine closely, trying to catch any hint of what she was really feeling in response to that. The woman seemed to have a poker face that could rival his own!
Christine(thearcfamily)	"Pity, well I'm sure when you hear the evidence that I have that you'll change your tune soon enough, I hope for your sake you'll make the decision before it's too late Captain," She smiled, "I hear you've been busy boys, searching to see what I know, I know the Minister gave you the video footage, I could have saved you the trouble ..." she said, "the footage is really quite clear don't you think? Professor Cutter is seen and heard quite plainly to be cooperating with his wife and Oliver Leek, and in the other footage, there's evidence that the technology that belong to Mr. Temple is being used by Helen and Oliver ... so what other conclusion can I come to that he handed it over willingly as well?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"It does seem quite damning, when take on its own with what we have been given." Becked paused an considered Christine for a moment before pushing further. "But Cutter and Temple were held prisoner by Helen and Oliver for nearly a week. They were clearly tortured during that time, as their hospital records clearly indicate. I find it hard to believe, that in all the recordings you somehow got your hands on, there was none showing their imprisonment and lengthy torture." Becker glanced from Lester and then back to Christine. "It almost seems like cherry-picking the footage that paints them in the worst possible light. I am sure you would agree that even treason, after a week of physical, mental, and emotional torture such as they endured, would throw into question the severity of the charge and the sentence that came with it."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester leaned forward in his chair as he considered what Becker and Christine were saying, he really didn't like where this was heading. "Nick and Connor have been through enough, we can stop this now Christine, before it gets any further, don't you think they've punished enough?" "They still acted against the government, against the crown ...even if you argued that they'd been tortured into it, " Christine countered, "that counts as high treason, once upon a time you could have gotten locked up in the tower for that ... a shame that stopped," she smiled, "and what's to say they didn't inflict the injuries deliberately, to cover their tracks and make it look like they were tortured?" she countered, "I've read Helen's file ... she really is something, maybe Cutter's not that different from his wife after all," she paused, "it really wouldn't be that hard to convince a jury of this, especially Cutter's reputation ..."
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had to fight hard not to roll his eyes as he gave a quick glance at Lester before turning his gaze back to Christine. "I have" he said simply. "And I must yet again decline the offer. As tempting as the offer might be, I am quite satisfied with my place here on the team at the ARC." Becker watched Christine closely, trying to catch any hint of what she was really feeling in response to that. The woman seemed to have a poker face that could rival his own!
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Self-inflicted? Those injuries?" Becker said, feeling the anger start to build up inside as he tried to tamp it down. "You have seen what happened to them right?" he asked coldly. "Their hands were broken, they were branded multiple times, they were starved, they were burned, they were beaten, they were both nearly dead when we finally found them." Becker's voice was shaking by this point, his hands clenched into tight fists as he tried to reign in his emotions but couldn't. All he could see was that day, outside the warehouse, play out all over again in his mind. "No sane jury would believe that all of their injuries were self-inflicted!" he said, snapping a bit as the frustration and anger finally slipped through a bit. "It's a weak argument to make, and a ridiculous one at that!"
Lester(thearcfamily)	"Really Christine, that's a low bar even for you," Lester managed to keep his voice even but he wished just this once he could snap like Becker. Christine merely smiled, "you'd be surprised what people would believe nowadays," she was thrilled by the reaction she was getting out of Becker and Lester, "it would be a shame if some unsavoury details about Cutter and Connor were to leak out ...I know all sorts of things about their private lives, especially Cutter's ...that would make some interesting reading in the press," She waited to see what reaction that would get. "
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Blackmail and coercion is a crime as well last time I checked," Becker said through nearly clenched jaws. "Sure it would be worth the collateral damage to put that sort of thing out there?" Becker stared at Christine, trying not to let on how annoyed and also how worried he actually was. Christine just smiled in return as she took a moment to revel in that power she had in that moment. "Oh, I think it would be" she said with an airy smile as she looked from Lester to Becker. "I mean, imagine the damage headlines revealing a professor of Nick Cutter's reputation had been sleeping around with his university lab assistant for several years, even while his wife was missing? And I would hate to think of poor Connor Temple's future and what it would do to the boy's poor fragile self-esteem if it came out what his home life had been like and why he was so desperate to sleep his way into getting accepted into his current program at the university." Christine let the words hang there, the implied threats making the air in the room heavy as she watched Becker and Lester's reactions with a smug grin.
Lester(thearcfamily)	It was only after years of keeping his emotions under control that Lester was able to stop his expression from changing, he stayed very still, exchanging a glance at Becker and then back at Christine. He didn't know how Christine had gotten any of that information and he knew just how bad it could be for Nick and Connor if those stories did leak to the press, "surely it won't have to come to that?" he managed to keep his expression neutral. "I do believe we were going to discuss options?" he tried to take her focus off Cutter and Connor's personal lives for a while. "I think we should get back on track, don't you Captain?" he looked back at Becker.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had his jaw clenched tight, it was the only way he could keep from going off on Christine just then. He turned and looked at Lester and nodded slightly, taking a deep breath and trying to push everything down. Cutter and Connor needed him, he couldn't mess this up by letting his emotions get the better of him. "Aye, I think it is time we talk about what it is you really want in all this, Christine. Surely there is a way we can come to some sort of agreement without dragging this out and pulling Professor Cutter and Connor into things more than they already are?"
Christine(thearcfamily)	"I've already said what I what," Christine replied with a smile, "I want Professor Cutter and Connor Temple, now I might be willing to have the sentences reduced if they plead guilty, we can avoid a messy trial and put all of this behind us," she looked at Becker and Lester, "everyone wins that way, Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple won't spend the rest of their lives in jail, that really is the best offer I can do,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"And you are just doing this all out of the burning sense of national pride and duty?" Becker asked, unable to keep the hint of snark out of his voice. He knew there was more to it. Christine was after the ARC, after the team. He just didn't know why just yet. "You are just doing your duty in all this, is that what you expect us to believe? No hidden motives or outside reasons for pushing so hard for this all of a sudden?"
Christine(thearcfamily)	“Why would I have hidden agendas? I have a very good job here at MI5, and I keep my country safe “ Christine grinned, pleased to see that she was getting to Becker, “after all James, Captain … you were both soldiers, you know how important it is to keep our country safe from national security threats …” she drawled out that word as she looked between Lester and Becker. "
Becker(thearcfamily)	"And to determine the validity and severity of any threats, Ma'am" Becker said in as even a tone as he could manage. "The focus seems to be squarely on Cutter and Connor... but I can't help but wonder" and here Becker leveled his gaze at Christine a bit, "what is being done by your department to find Helen?" Becker made sure not to mention anything about their own investigation and efforts to find Helen. If Christine was working with Helen, the last thing they needed for Helen to find out they were looking for her still. He wanted to press Christine some, get her to talk about Helen and see if they could uncover anything there that might help them. "Surely Helen Cutter is a huge security threat as well and would warrant even more of your time and resources to ensure she is brought to justice as well?" Becker looked over at Lester with the faintest hint of a smirk tugging the corner of his lips. "It would be a shame if any rumors got out that someone in a position of power like yours was neglecting to do her full duty and protect the country from the worst of the security threats that are detected. Would hate for your reputation to get tarnished by stories of collaboration and abetting a suspected terrorist of the highest priority. Would really be such a shame!"
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine’s expression slipped … just for a moment but it was enough to see that the question had rattled her. She smiled but this time it didn’t quite meet her eyes, “I do believe that the hunt for Helen Cutter is James’ department, the Minister gave him special approval directly so if you you want to know why Helen hasn’t been caught then you should ask your boss,” She nodded over at Lester, “you would think that after all of this alleged torture that Professor Cutter and Connor Temple have been through, that you would prioritises finding Helen, who is supposedly this biggest security threat we have seen unless …you’re protecting the bigger threats and deflecting attention from them?
Becker(thearcfamily)	The slip was quick but Becker had caught it and smirked a little. He gave a look over at Lester and then nodded. "I am sure there is a memo coming with the latest efforts on that front" he said with a smile that almost seemed to mirror the ones Christine had been giving them up to that point. "Im sure the efforts have been quite extensive but, classified information and all that." A small, somewhat petty part of him hoped he was poking Christine even just a fraction of how hard she had been poking at them since the meeting had started. Becker went silent and glanced over at Lester.
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine stared coldly at them, now getting a grip on her emotions, even if she didn't like how Becker seemed to be scoring a few points of his own, this was her turf ... she was the one in control, "such a shame the information never seems to reach my desk, well it's a good thing we'll be seeing so much of each other than isn't it Captain?" she said with a slight smirk, "I'll be able to oversee the search for Helen Cutter from the ARC on a regular basis,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker bit his lip at that point. They had already let Christine know that Helen was definitely a person of interest to them which was obvious all things considered. But he knew they didn't want to give her any more ammo or information that she could twist and try to use against them. Details about just what they were doing and what their investigation and all entailed would have to wait, and unfortunately for Lester, it would fall to him most likely to handle the delicate side of all this. Especially since in the grand scheme of all this, Becker was little more than a hired hand since he was technically no longer part of pec ops after failing his attempt to reenlist and get cleared. Anything official regarding Cutter and Connor would have to come from him, and Becker hated how useless he felt when it came to the political side of all this.
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine smiled, “what’s the matter Captain? Cat got your tongue?” she waited a few more moments to really let the uncomfortable silence sink in, “unless you hand Professor Cutter and Connor Temple over, I’m going to be very thorough and ruthless in my investigation…do you really want to put the rest of the team in that position Captain, it’s your job to protect them after all,” she said pointedly.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"And Cutter and Connor are my responsibility to protect as well as they are still part of the team" Becker said firmly. "You come against one of us; you come against all of us. I think you should also consider the implications of that. We can negotiate terms that can satisfy any possible security threats," he said, emphasizing that strongly. "And we can make the entire process easier on everyone, without totally discounting the rights of Nick Cutter and Connor Temple as UK citizens themselves." Becker let that hang there a moment, hoping that the hinted implications of such charges and investigations would not be easy or bode well for the department should they fail.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester had been watching the exchange thoughtfully, “we’re all reasonable adults Christine,” he added, “we all want to keep the country safe and as Captain Becker said there are ways to do that to ensure that the rights of Professor Cutter and Connor Temple are protected,” Christine studied the two men, “I will still need to interview them, alone without interference, if you arrange that …I won’t have them declared threats to national security,” “The only way that interview will happen,” Lester said pointedly, “is at the ARC and it’s just that an interview, they don’t have to answer any questions they don’t want to,” he glanced over at Becker, desperately hoping that this wasn’t going to backfire.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"And your men will not be allowed in with them. At all. That is non-negotiable as well," Becker said firmly. "If there is even a hint that Connor and Cutter are being harassed or threatened, then you will be escorted off the premise." Becker knew he was probably pushing it but if he was going to agree to not being there with Cutter and Connor while they were in the same room with Christine he was sure as hell going to be right outside the door and do all he could to make sure she didn't try anything.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Christine stared for a moment and then nodded, “you drive a hard bargain boys, I like it a lot and my offer for a job still stands Captain just say the word,” yes she wasn’t giving up In hiring you that easily Becker. “Fine, no men, no threats and I interview Professor Cutter and Connor Temple alone at the ARC, when shall we make this arrangement happen boys?” Lester kept his expression as neutral as possible, “next week,” he said confidently, that would give Nick and Connor enough time to prepare and get back to the ARC, “Thursday morning, 10:00,” he tried to sound confident in asserting the time and day, to get back some control, “does that work for everyone?”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Sounds good Sir," Becker said simply, already mentally going over everything he would need to do to get ready for Christine being at the ARC and talking to Connor and Cutter. And yes, he was just going to ignore that job offer again, Christine. "We can arrange transportation to the ARC for you," he said, not wanting to leave arrival and such in Christine's hand, trying to eliminate any way she could try and get the drop on them with anything.
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine kept her expression as neutral as she could, "how very generous of you Captain," she said at last, "very well, next Thursday 10:00, I trust everything will be prepared for my arrival, I was very disappointed the other day with how disorganised the ARC was,""
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Will see to it personally, Ma'am" Becker said, trying to keep that annoyance out of his voice. "Everything will be ready. We'll be in touch" he said simply as he stood, trying to indicate it was time for them to leave. He really didn't want to have to force them out but he also wasn't about to let Christine be the one in control of how the meeting ended.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester stood up as well, straightening out his suit, "well Christine, if there's nothing else, we'll see you next Thursday at 10:00," he said simply. Christine watched them stand but she didn't follow suit, "of course, it's been a pleasure," she said in a voice that indicated it was anything but, "I trust you know the way out?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker looked over and gave a nod to Lester as he started to walk toward Christine and her men. "I will make sure they don't get lost on their way out, Sir" he said. And that got Christine to finally stand. Becker had to fight back the smug smirk at the scowl on her face as she did so. And with they on their way, Becker followed after and gave a quick look over at Lester, letting him know he would be back as soon as he could- barring Christine didn't try and kidnap him in an effort to recruit him yet again.